From “breaking” to “developing”

Image via WikipediaIn conversation with some students today, I came across some different perceptions of what “Breaking news” means. Through the discussions, we came to the conclusion that perhaps “breaking” isn’t the best word to use in all instances.

Perhaps the 24-hour cable news networks have overused the “breaking news” lingo to talk about everything from what Michelle Obama was wearing on Inauguration Day to a press conference by Illinois Gov. Rob Blagojevich to a plane landing on the Hudson.

So I think it would be useful to have a distinction.

“Breaking news” should be reserved for something BIG. On campus, this could be the death of a student, or a fire, or something. “Breaking news” needs a swarm of reporting to get the facts out immediately and follow-up with a real sense of urgency.

“Developing news” should be something that is probably newsworthy enough to post some relevant facts or source documents on the web site – like your standard Friday afternoon “news dump” of a coach resigning, or your university PR office sending out a press release that has some actual news. But – especially when officials won’t return their phone calls – won’t result in the all-out swarm that follows a breaking news event. And you likely won’t send out an e-mail blast to subscribers (because we know people hate that whole “cry wolf” thing, right?).

It’s a distinction that has some value, at least as you’re transitioning students to a web-first mindset. Your thoughts?

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